Great Quotes from Shakespeare's Othello

This play was one of the first I studied in college. Eric and I were dating as I was studying this play and I often thought of our love while reading the lines. Shakespeare was a master of irony, hidden meanings and double meanings; they must be in every other line of his plays. How ironic it is to think then of this being my favored play during Eric's time. Listen to these lines, they are startling and beautiful at the same time.

The most noble lines in the play:
Othello:
She loved me for the dangers I had pass'd,
And I lov'd her that she did pity them.
This only is the witchcraft I have us'd.
Here comes the lady; let her witness it.A daughter honors her father:
Father: Do you perceive in all this noble company
Where most you owe obedience?

Desdemona:
My noble father,
I do perceive here a divided duty:
To you I am bound for life and education;
My life and education both do learn me
How to respect you; you are the lord of duty;
I am hitherto your daughter. But here's my husdand;
And so much duty as my mother show'd
To you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess
Due to the Moor, my lord.

When I read these lines for the first time, I was filled with such love for Dad that I often read them and cried tears of joy that I had a father who had taught me so much.These lines are precious to my heart, but more so are the man in my life they represent: Dad.

The irony of course is that Eric did tell me he no longer loved me, just as Othello does to Desdemona. Othello was a good man who let evil people and ideas rule his heart. Eric, I believe, was a good man who let the same happen.
Here are some other lines to celebrate from Othello:

Iago:
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear--
And out of her own goodness make the net
that shall enmesh them all.
Othello:
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again;
Iago:
O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the greeney'd monster which doth mock
the meat it feeds on.

Iago:
The Moor already changes with my poison.


Othello:
All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven.
Tis gone
Arise black vengence, from the hollow hell
Yeild up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne
to tyrannous hate!
Desdemona:
And have you mercy too! I never did
offend you in my life

As my unit comes to an end, I see that the kids did get into the story a little. I say a little because I am comparing it to their excitement for Romeo and Juliet. I have managed to keep them in suspense, even though some already know everyone will die. It has been a wild ride with these kids-- to see their eyes open to this literature is so exciting! I think, though, next year I will try a different play. What do you think of King Lear?